She felt like she was on fire. Every inch of her body was screaming pain. Her leg was twisted backwards, her right side of the face cut. Her arm had been pulled out of its socket, and her nose was broken more than once. She knew she was going to die.
That part was inevitable. And, oddly enough, she didn't feel that bad about. Maybe it was the loss of blood or it was because she had hit her head- she didn't know which- but she felt almost….happy. Well, not happy. Not exactly. It was more like she was floating, and if felt almost serene. Like somebody in a house of screaming kids takes a walk outside, and all they can hear is the whisper of trees against the wind. It was the same sort of peaceful, quiet feeling.
She knew she was drifting away. She no longer felt connected to her body, and her breathing became shallow. She closed her eyes in acceptance. She felt the sun leave her face and a tiny droplet of water splashed against her. Then, more droplets fell, and she could hear the soft rain beating down against the pavement, against her. But she could not feel it.
I'm leaving…she thought. I'm leaving……..I'm leaving…..leaving….
I'm….gone.
"ALICE!" Edward hissed, concerned. Alice's face was drawn, her eyes squeezed shut. Alice gasped. Jasper was by her side in a minute, standing protectively in front of her. Alice shook her head and opened her eyes.
"What is it?" Edward asked. He was staring at the sky, watching the clouds darken. Alice just shook her head. She almost looked nauseated….if vampires could throw up.
"We have to go. Now," She croaked. It almost looked like she was crying. "Jasper, get Rose, Bella, Emmett……and go home. Edward and I can handle it."
For a second Jasper looked like he was about to protest. But then he just shook his head and headed back down the hallway. Alice turned to Edward, her eyes pleading.
"Edward, whatever happens….I'm sure Carlisle will understand."
Edward looked at her for a moment, trying to read her thoughts, but Alice took to counting to a million in her head, blocking her vision from him. Edward sighed.
"Alice…"
"Come on, lets go," Alice hissed, and in a second, she was running. Edward followed her, matching her pace as they arrived at a dirt road. He could smell her. Cautiously, the two approached the mangled body. Suddenly, Edward snarled.
The smell of blood….there was so much of it. It was intoxicating scent. He fought back the urge to drink it. It was hard...she had just died. The blood was still warm. What difference did it make? She was dead. It wasn't like he had killed her. He'd just be cleaning up. It wasn't much of a problem…
STOP! He thought, shaking his head, trying to fight off his instinct. He glanced over at Alice, but oddly enough, it was not affecting her. She was bent over the body, examining it closely.
"Edward," She murmured. "I think you'll have to change her."
Edward was shaking. "I can't…I'll kill her."
Alice was quiet for a moment. "No, you won't."
Edward looked at her for a minute, trying to read her thoughts, but once again she was counting. Then he understood.
"Is this what you saw?" He asked. "You saw me changing an innocent girl into a…"
Alice said nothing.
"I CAN'T!" Edward said. "NO! I'VE ALREADY CHANGED BELLA; I CAN'T CHANGE AN INNOCENT GIRL…"
Alice looked at him, her expression unreadable. "I've already foreseen it. You can do it."
Edward shook his head. "No, I can't."
Alice stepped back from the body, and walked over to him. She hugged him. "You won't disappoint Carlisle. Edward, she's dying. She deserves another chance. I've seen how she was beaten. Please, save her."
"I won't be saving her," He murmured. "I'll be damning her."
"Is that really what you believe about Bella? Do you think she was damned? Do you think she is a soulless monster?"
Edward glared at her. "That's not a fair question."
"Answer it, Edward."
He was silent, brooding. Finally, he answered shakily: "No."
"Then change her, Edward. Don't let this be her fate."
Edward stepped back from Alice, and towards the girl. He crouched down, examining her. Then he bent his head towards her neck.